This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Queensland Miles government is bringing 104 more social and affordable homes across Toowoomba and Gladstone, as part of its Homes for Queenslanders plan.
85 units in Gladstone will become social and affordable homes, while 19 new social homes have just been completed in Toowoomba.
The Gladstone units are being delivered thanks to the Housing Investment Fund, with the government partnering with local community housing provider Roseberry Community Services.
Barney Beach Accommodation was previously used as workers accommodation and is set to be renamed as the Friend St Village and will include 20 social units and 65 affordable units.
“Roseberry is committed to working with the community of Gladstone to increase housing supply and provide supported and affordable accommodation to those who need it the most,” said Jo Paringatai, Queensland general manager at Roseberry.
“With the repurposing of the existing premises in Barney Beach, now called the Friend St Village, we are increasing access to affordable homes and creating a place where individuals and families can lead safe and fulfilling lives in secured environments.”
Last year, the state government successfully purchased and transformed a former serviced apartment in Gladstone into 34 self-contained social homes. As well as an 84-room former Park Hotel in Spring Hill, which had been leased by the government since April 2021.
With a former hotel in inner-Brisbane and 124-home former retirement village in Logan also purchased through the Housing Investment Fund recently.
At the same time, 19 new social homes have been completed in Newtown, including 13 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units.
Each of the units have been built to Platinum, Gold and Silver accessibility standards making them suitable for seniors and people with a disability.
Tenants have already begun to move into the homes, with the units set to be fully tenanted by the end of July.
“These 19 homes and our $2.8 billion injection in the Budget for housing and homelessness proves that we’re delivering more Homes for Queenslanders,” said Meaghan Scanlon, housing minister.
“Whether it’s building homes in Toowoomba, working with businesses in Toowoomba to build modular homes or buying vacant retirement villages in Toowoomba – we’re pulling all levers to help Queenslanders.”
